Filmmakers should avoid hurting public sentiments, TN governor says

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu government on Friday urged filmmakers in the state to show respect to the sensitivities of the people while making "sensitive" films and avoid hurting public sentiments.

The plea comes against the backdrop of chief minister J Jayalalithaa justifying her government's decision to impose a two-week ban on the film, citing law and order problem.

Apparently referring to the controversy over Kamal Haasan's film Vishwaroopam and reflecting the state government's sentiments on the issue, Tamil Nadu governor K Rosaiah, in his maiden address this year in the assembly, said the government will not spare anybody who tries to whip up communal passions.

Hailing chief minister J Jayalalithaa for giving uncompromising support and a free hand to the police to deal effectively with law and order issues, he said, "as a result of her firmness and resolve, timely interventions to ban the release of sensitive films like Dam 999 that have the potential to disturb peace, has averted serious law and order problems that could have effected the state".

Indicating the government's seriousness in tackling crimes against women in the wake of the Delhi gang-rape case, the governor said that in a civilised society, heinous crimes committed against women and children should end.

The state government also made several announcements, including additional plan allocation for the 2013-2014 from Rs 28,000 crore to Rs 37,000.

The governor urged the Centre to impress upon the Sri Lankan government the need to exercise restraint and to refrain from making unprovoked attacks on Tamil Nadu's fishermen.

Earlier, the opposition, DMK, boycotted the governor's address and staged a walkout from the assembly hall.